In The News

Mar 19 2019

The Sun Chronicle

Of late, though, overrides have become less popular statewide, according to the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, which is, despite its folksy title, a group representing business interests. The association’s annual financial data report on municipal government found last year set a record for the fewest number of overrides. “The number of Proposition 2 ½ overrides has declined significantly in recent years,” the report states. “Twenty Proposition 2 ½ override votes occurred in (fiscal year) 2018, down from 26 in FY 2017.

Mar 5 2019

By Jon Chesto, The Boston Globe

Eileen McAnneny, president of the business-backed Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, says she’s not worried about this year. But the slowdown in growth could make it harder to budget for the fiscal period that begins July 1. In many ways, McAnneny says, we’re living on borrowed time with this decadelong recovery. Good thing the state has $2 billion in its rainy day fund, thanks in part to a capital gains-related windfall last year.

Mar 2 2019

By Liz Kowalczyk, The Boston Globe

While the number of overall emergency department visits has been declining in the state, Massachusetts residents still use them at a rate 11 percent higher than the US average. “We’re trending in the wrong direction if we’re expanding,’’ said Eileen McAnneny, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, which is part of the coalition.

Feb 28 2019

By Michael Botticelli, Boston Business Journal

Two recent studies commissioned by RIZE Massachusetts show how widespread the effect is on the Massachusetts workforce and economy. The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation estimates the cost at nearly $5 billion in lost productivity and increased health care spending.

Feb 19 2019

By Eileen McAnneny, CommonWealth Magazine

A shared commitment by business and legislative leadership and other stakeholders to making measurable progress on the Commonwealth’s transportation agenda in the next 2-3 years with the commission’s report serving as the road map could be revolutionary indeed.

Feb 11 2019

Gloucester Daily Times

“With April being the largest month for tax collections, it is unlikely policymakers will have significantly more information about tax revenue available before the House and Senate budgets are published in the spring,” said Eileen McAnneny, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation. “As a cautionary measure, budget writers may want to revisit the tax growth assumptions before the fiscal 2020 budget is adopted.

Feb 6 2019

By Michael Norton, State House News Service

Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation President Eileen McAnneny said Wednesday that with revenues trailing fiscal 2019 budget benchmarks by $400 million with five months left in the fiscal year, the state this year may be on track to make a smaller deposit into its rainy day fund than expected. That is because lower than expected capital gains tax revenues, which officials say may be underperforming, will automatically cut into an expected $489 million transfer.

Jan 23 2019

By Matt Stout and Victoria McGrane, The Boston Globe

The proposal speaks to the importance and the urgency around climate change mitigation, said Eileen McAnneny, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.
But that its champion is Baker, a Republican who has signed but generally not proposed tax hikes in the past, signals an approach to starting conversations about revenue “that we didn’t see in the first term, for sure,” she said. “It’s definitely new ground,” said McAnneny, who cautioned that there are several unresolved issues, including whether the tax raises sufficient revenue. And, she added: “Will the Legislature go along with it?”

Jan 16 2019

By Matt Rocheleau, The Boston Globe

Eileen McAnneny, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, said the spike in six-figure earners raised questions, as did the increases in overtime spending. "Having 24 workers make over $100K in overtime, and the bump in overtime costs more generally, suggests that the state may need to think of hiring additional workers to reduce the amount of overtime it is paying,” McAnneny said via e-mail.